Chapter 148: Don’t bother me
In the evening, when everyone gathered at the dining table for dinner, Luke noticed an unnatural silence hanging over them.
He glanced at Lex and found the man focused on his food, yet it was obvious that his thoughts were far from the table.
Well, Luke already knew exactly what was on his mind, so he chose not to ask anything. Instead, he turned toward his father and asked, "Did you go to check the site? How long do you think it will take for everything to return to normal?"
He wanted the bathhouse to be rebuilt as soon as possible, and with the barter hub crushed during the battle, there would be no proper exchange for the time being.
Ah, the battle and its rewards had been sweet, but the aftermath certainly was not.
"It will take three to five days to completely remove that thing from the village," Gustav said after a brief pause. The chief had already assigned all his warriors to the task. If the creature’s flesh began to rot, it could pollute the entire village and spread illness.
"Hmm, I will go and check on things myself after dinner," Luke said after a short moment of thought.
He then heard Ginna ask, "I heard the chief is planning to organize a public gathering soon to address what happened."
Luke hummed in mild surprise since he had not heard anything about it. Then again, he had not stepped outside the house the entire day.
"I hope he acknowledges Luke’s efforts during the gathering," Monica said with a soft smile.
Luke let out a quiet chuckle. "I do not need recognition from them. I only did what I felt was necessary."
Who would even want to be hailed as a hero or savior? Certainly not him. He had always desired peace. Though, after his recent actions, returning to a quiet and unnoticed life seemed highly unlikely now. But still.
....
After dinner, Luke stepped out of the house to help digest the food. He had eaten two heavy meals after waking up that afternoon, so his body demanded a bit of movement.
He had thought of inviting Monica, but she was busy chatting with Ginna and Laila in his room, so he decided to leave her be.
With his hands tucked into his pockets, he tilted his head slightly and looked up at the sky.
He would most likely visit the dungeon again tomorrow or the day after.
He was neither particularly fatigued nor injured. However, before heading out, he planned to visit the forest and gather some herbs to brew a few potions. That would save him the Gamma points he would otherwise have to spend on healing potions.
He knew exactly what he needed, and the forest had everything required to brew them. So tomorrow would be entirely devoted to preparation.
"Speaking of preparation, show me some good weapons and vests within my range, System."
His previous vest had been nearly destroyed during the first dungeon raid, so he needed a replacement.
Yes, he could get it repaired, but rather than wasting points on an old piece, he would rather invest in something better.
[Based on your current points, the best vest available is:]
[Name: Grey Shell]
[Rank: C]
[Cost: 600 GP]
[Description: A vest crafted from the hardened grey shells of the mountain serpent. It deflects attacks from sharp objects and provides heat resistance up to one hundred degrees. Additionally, it increases the wearer’s defense by ten points.]
Hmm, that was actually quite impressive.
Luke gave a small nod of approval. This one looked reliable. He would need something that could withstand sharp claws and fangs.
However, every time his gaze drifted back to the price, his heart sank a little.
So much effort to earn twelve hundred points, only to lose half of it on a single vest.
Damn... this system really knew how to do business.
Shaking his head, he pushed the thought of the purchase aside for later.
Before long, he arrived at the site where the battle had taken place. Naturally, he was not allowed to cross the barrier, and truthfully, he had no desire to either. Even from this distance, the foul stench of the beast’s remains reached his nose, thick and unpleasant.
He was just about to turn back when a voice called out, "So it’s you, huh?"
He turned around and found an unexpected figure standing there.
"You are..." He narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling her presence, "the Chief’s second mate."
He did not know her name, but he remembered seeing her during the gathering he had been invited to last time.
She was a short woman with petite form. Not much of a big bust but she definitely got that cake on her back. She had braided her long bluish-black hair and her sharp green eyes glared at Luke.
"What do you mean, ’second’? I am his mate, nothing less. And my name is Thea."
Luke shrugged lightly. "I meant you came into his life later... well, whatever. Did you want to say something?"
Thea let out a soft hmph. "What kind of attitude is that toward your chief’s mate? Shouldn’t you show a bit more respect?"
Luke rolled his eyes. "And why should I? Roxanne never asked that of me."
Her eyes widened slightly. "So you really do know her well, huh? I heard my mate warning her not to meet you a few days ago... so the two of you are that close?"
Luke did not know that.
Well, he had expected the chief to tell her not to wander around with someone like him, but threatening her? After ignoring her for so long?
Sick bastard.
"Hmm..." Thea hummed softly to herself as she studied the young man in front of her. Could it be that Roxanne knew about his strength, about his magic, and that was why she chose to stay close to him?
"If that is the case, then let us become friends as well," Thea suddenly said, catching Luke off guard.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
"I mean we should get along too. I am sure you would be interested in befriending me, the one who now holds more authority than that woman," she said with a haughty lift of her chin.
Luke turned away and said, "Yeah, no thanks." He had no intention of keeping company with someone so full of herself. People like that only drained his patience, and he had no desire to tolerate them.
"Huh? Wait, you cannot just reject me like that." She called out quickly, clearly not expecting him to walk away so easily.
"As I said, I am not interested." Luke waved her off dismissively.
But Thea did not give up. "You are disrespecting the chief’s mate by ignoring her. Do you hear me?"
This time, Luke did not even bother responding. He simply continued walking away. Crazy woman.
Thea clenched her teeth in frustration and rushed after him.
Grabbing his arm with both hands, she deliberately dug her nails into his flesh and snapped, "Listen to me when I, kyah!" Her voice broke into a sharp yelp as Luke suddenly turned and pinned her against a nearby wall, trapping her completely between his arms.
She whimpered from the impact before slowly lifting her gaze.
His tall frame loomed over her, casting a shadow as his dark eyes bore down into hers, burning with restrained anger.
"Listen, woman. I do not care who you are or what position you hold. I decide who I associate with, and I definitely do not want a noisy, self-centered woman anywhere near me."
Thea’s eyes grew moist, but she still glared up at him stubbornly. "Y-You... how dare you..."
"I do not want to hear another word of nonsense, so stay quiet and never approach me again. Understood?" he said, only to find her still staring at him defiantly.
A faint, mocking smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned even closer, his face just inches away from hers.
Holding her breath, she heard him saying, "Did you hear me?"
She swallowed hard before forcing out a soft, "Yes..." Her eyes slowly shut.
Luke gave her one last look before stepping back and walking away.
Seriously, his day was going so fine with hearty meal, family time and just the perfect walk...which was ruined by this woman.
*Thud*
Thea collapsed right where she stood the instant he gave her some space.
Her eyes were watery, her cheeks flushed... not because of fear but because of shame.
Shame because she had just drenched her underwear with her love juices and pee, forming a small pool underneath her.
She followed his retreating back with her eyes and muttered under her breath, "I-I won’t forget this humiliation... nngh." A last spurt squirted out, preventing her from even finishing her threat.
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A/N:- We have another daddy issue maso. Thanks for reading. Her art would be available soon.